Nicki Minaj covers the tenth anniversary issue of COMPLEX magazine and we have pics and interview highlights inside. See what Nicki says about behind the brainchild behind the N.M. machine and pics of her arriving in Japan....

Inside the magazine, the rapper discusses her megastardom, how she's the brainchild behind her own success (she says she manages herself but still has a management team) and how she goes about setting her goals. Basically she's saying she has the last word if she disagrees with management--like most artists do who aren't blind pushovers. She says she never gets credit for what she contributes to the moves she makes. Here are the highlights....

What wows you these days? Everything that comes your way keeps becoming bigger, bigger, bigger. When you’re constantly exceeding your own expectations, how do you set new goals?

Doing the Super Bowl with Madonna doesn’t really change Nicki Minaj’s personal goals. My goal right now is still to put out Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, sell five million copies eventually, and tour every country in the world. That’s what I’ve been working toward. So while the world is talking about, “Oh my God, I can’t believe Nicki Minaj was at the Super Bowl!” I’m mixing and mastering my music. In my scheme of things it’s way bigger.

You’re on track to hit all your marks in 2012. Grammy solo set? Check. New album and tour? Check, check. Five million in sales? Possibly. What else?

I’m working on my fragrance and my apparel line. They took stuff that I’ve worn, focused on what I like, and then they started doing sketches. They’re pretty amazing. I was like “Oh my God, the kids are going to love this.” It’s not gonna get done overnight, but I know that it’s something they’re going to love.

What’s your off-stage persona?
I’m the biggest homebody. But I’ve been like this. Nothing about me has changed since I got fame. I never liked to go to clubs. I never liked to go out. I don’t know where that public craziness came from. I was always like a comedian to my friends and family, but in a lot of ways I’m shy. I think people read my shyness as being mean. They misinterpret it. The first and only person who ever called me out for being shy was Wayne.

I always got a kick out of the endless debates over who was managing you. I’ve known you through three sets of managers [Deb Antney, Puffy and James Cruz, and Hip Hop Since 1978] and in every case, it was always clear that...

Little do they know, I manage myself.

Yes. You were always the first and last word.
Right. People assume that I am not the brains behind this operation, and they don’t give me my credit. I could give two fucks about credit. I just want you to leave me the fuck alone. Let me do me. Don’t tell me how to pose; I know how to pose. When I’m recording, I just have to go in and do it, you know? Even my engineer thinks I’m crazy because I’ll hear something different on a track, and he’ll insist, “No, no, nothing was moved.” [But I tell him] “Tony, something was moved.” And later, sure enough, “You were right, there was a two-second delay here.”

Do you always feel like the smartest person in the room?
I meet people that are smart every day. I love collaborating with creative people. I’m not walking around saying I know everything. Hell fucking no. I want to build something. I just don’t allow anyone around me who drops the ball constantly. I’ve never been happier with my current management, because Gee Roberson is such an intelligent man. I learn from him every day, and I’m very, very turned on by people that I learn from. Not sexually—I just love being enlightened. All artists should want to learn the business as they go along. If you’re in this shit, talking about how you just want to be an artist, you’re fucking stupid. It makes me cringe.

If I wasn’t doing it, I wouldn’t believe it’s possible. I remember when I was working with Jay-Z. It was like, “Oh my God. Did I really just do a song with Jay?” I worked with Mariah and it wasn’t commercially successful. But I had fun and I made a real friendship with her. It was, obviously, a life-changing moment for me. It does feel like every moment is getting bigger and bigger. Not only did I get a call to do a song with Madonna, but then I got a call to do a video with Madonna, and then—oh, by the way—you’re going to do the Super Bowl with Madonna. This is not really happening.

Read the full interview here at Complex. And more pics from Nicki's spread are below:

Comments

Who is Nicki Minaj dating dating? i like the LAST pic, where she looks like shes driving.
hmm, i feel shes right, that some artists that wont have longevity in music, need to branch out into other things when their hot, (FEMALE RAPPERS)…see what laitfah did? thats what im saying
nicki knows she will NOT have a long career as a FEMALE RAPPER,thats a FACT.

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I love how she, like Wayne, always cuts someone down when talking about them. NOT! I worked with Mariah but it was not commercially successful. You worked with her when no one really cared about you and her name and image got you exposure the same way as your copying Kim style got you exposure. Stop thinking you didn't stand on a back to climb the way. You are not an AMAZON warrior.

In her interviews it just seems like she has a big ruffles chip on her shoulder. "Oh my God, the kids are going to love this.” she said it herself, she makes music for kids, her image is for kids, her bubble gum rhymes is for kids. She's letting the hip hop community know her shit is not for us, it's for teens. Her music is for the NOW, it will be interesting to see how long her empire/popularity lasts?

Artistically, the spread is very cool. Onto her interview, I have never been more turned off by an "entertainer" in my life. She is very calluous and crude. I cannot stand when people curse for no reason. Never mind the fact that she contradicts herself. She is in control of everything, yet her fashion line is created by other people who make sketches. I am very sick of artists getting lines who contribute nothing but their name to things. If you want to create a fashion line at least draw up your own sketches and ideas.
Also, anyone who is in this industry and just wants to be an artist is fucking stupid? Really? No, they are true to their craft. Most people (ie Adele) who want to just do music actually have talent and they focus on that talent. Not everyone wishes for undeserved fame or to attack a large number of people with their shitty generic music.

im not a stan for any artist and i may talk shit about celebrities like Beyonce and Rhianna..but one prop i can give those artists is they can make videos....and do phenomenal performances that make me say damn that was hot let me go download that album or single...BUT NICKY MINAJ IS STRAIGHT GARBAGE...she is a total bore when it comes to performance and her videos be all over the place....her music has 2 subjects...lil kim and sex...so im glad she has high dreams and hopes but 5 million is a really far fetch dream because these kids that listen to her are growing up and eventually thier mindset will change and they are not going to want to hear that shit no more...time will tell but my guess is ...she isnt going to have longevity!!!!!

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NIkki you are the bomb!!! Do your thang and keep doing what you do.... so people can't keep hating!!!! love the pics....I am glad you are different and don't worry about those people who can't accept that!!!!

EVEN though I am not a big Fan of this hood rat, I will say the pics actually do look nice, all the pic except for the last one with her green hair THANK GOD FOR MAKEUP BECAUSE THAT IS ONE UGLY GIRL, SHE IS NOT CUTE AT ALL. ALL THAT 10 POUNDS OF MAKE UP SHE ALWAYS HAVE ON SHE NEEDS TO ALWAYS KEEP HER MAKEUP BAG CLOSE, I MEAN REALLY CLOSE TO HER…Sarafee IS ONE LAME AS BLACK NIGGER, HE NEEDS TO MAKE USE OF HIS LIFE INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING A FEMALE AROUND, WERE IS YOUR BALLS AT SARAFEE. I HATE NIGGERS LIKE THAT, ALWAYS WANT TO LIVE OFF A WOMEN THAT’S SIDE. LAME ASS FUCK…HE SHOULD BE ASHAME OF HIMSELF..GROWS SOME BALLS SARAFEE

Its clear that she manages herself. Her main audience is anywhere from 4 years old to 16 years old. Her persona does not match her attitude. She's not humble in the article and talking about how she can give two fucks about getting credit. You can't be Rainbow Brite AND a gangsta. Pick one.

Do your thing Nicki. There are different types of music for all different types of people. If you don't like her music please click the X at the top right corner of your screen or press the home button. I congratulate her on her success. While you are in the world, learn as much as you can learn and do as much as you can do. Fame don't last always (for some) so get it while you can!!! That's awesome Nicki!!!

LOVE the photos. These are far better than the ones VIBE took.
Nicki is so CUTE! can't wait for that new CD and I'm so happy for her Pepsi DEAL!
#teamnicki4life Keep doing U Nicki. I know Lil Kim clearly NEVER had any Pepsi DEALS. Whitney? YES. Michael Jackson...YES. Li Kim....NO!

this chick was BORN for this!!! i respect her even more after reading this article...and i agree with her 100% about being the brains behind her as an artist...she's a brand, a business & you must be able to manage your own business if you want to be successful & have longevity. smart young lady....i love Lil Kim, but she is not in the same league as Nicki & never will be. Kim had an opportunity to do just what Nicki is doing, but she was too in love with Biggie to focus on herself. she (Kim) can't be mad at no one but herself...she's hating on Nicki, because she didn't have the courage, confidence, intelligence to do it.
Pow! Take that...

WELL FUCKING SAIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!! AND THIS IS ALSO WHY THEY HATE ON BEYONCE..... NICKI HAS ALREADY SHUT THE RAP GIRLS DOWN. THE BITCH BEEN IN VOGUE. ON ELLE. COMPLEX AND OTHERS. SUPERBOWL. AND HER ALBUM PUSHED 1.3 MILLI IN THE STATES... WITH 5 TOP HIT FT SONGS....